A CASH-strapped primary school is being forced to use its £5,000 savings earmarked for new classroom equipment to repair its roof after heartless lead thieves struck.

The crooks struck Greet School, on Percy Street, Sparkhill, sometime between last Tuesday and Thursday night.

They left a gaping hole in the roof of the Victorian building and badly damaged tiles.

Now money must be diverted from school funds to cover costs of the essential work so the school’s 738 pupils can continue with their education.

School business manager Fiona Smith said: “It really is despicable. Everyone at the school works really hard under difficult circumstances to keep the buildings well-maintained so we are all devastated. We are just hoping there is not any rain over the next few days.”

Emergency repairs to patch up the hole began on Friday evening but a complete restoration of the roof could take several weeks.

“It is a real tragedy because it affects everybody in the school. We are a diverse, multi-cultural school in the inner-city, so it is not easy to get funds.

“The money will have to be taken from funds that were destined to help with the pupils’ education so it is the children that suffer in the end,” said Mrs Smith.

School chiefs have sent a letter to parents appealing for help to catch the crooks.

“We are asking parents and neighbours to report anything which could be connected with the theft to the police,” she said.

“I hope that if the thieves are caught they receive a punishment that is appropriate for such a terrible crime,” Mrs Smith added.

“The problem with these thefts is that there is always someone ready to offer cash for the metal that is stolen. Crooks can sell it too easily. Thefts will continue until the scrapyards that provide a market for the metal are punished as well.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “It is believed the metal was taken at some time between 6.15am on Tuesday, June 21, and 6.30pm on Thursday, June 23. Anyone with information is urged to ring 0345 113 5000 and speak to officers at Stechford.”